Documentary Project 2010

Ken Sun
Inventor and Scholar

Ken (Johnson) Sun

Ken Sun, a resident of Moscow, Idaho, for the past decade, has been interested in electronics and chemistry for over 30 years.  He received his first chemistry set at the age of five while living with his parents in Berkeley.


"I am mostly self-taught," he explained, "But owe thanks to a handful of chemistry professors, electrical engineers, and other engineer hobbyists who volunteered to tutor me while I was growing up. They generously supplied much inspiration and support, for which I am very grateful."


At the age of 20, in 1980, Ken was diagnosed with schizophrenia, an organic brain disorder.  After several hospitalizations in state institutions, the doctors and psychiatrists found the right combination of medications to ease Ken's symptoms.


Due to his illness, Ken says he has been on Social Security for a long time. He receives help from a payee, and the rent for his apartment is around $200 in one of Moscow's low income housing facilities.

Ken's Work Center

The Work Center

Currently, Ken spends most of his time in his "Work Center," which takes up half of his studio apartment. In this 8 x 7 foot space, he has designed an array of eclectic science projects, including circuits, circuit boards, and theoretical electronics using amplifiers and oscillators. He creates an unending stream of fun gadgets:  timers, counters, memory circuits, and LED flashers, that he is quick to demonstrate whenever someone stops by to visit.

"I often have moments of what I call, Silicon Inspiration," Ken explained, "In which I produce schematics for levitation, including an air car circuit, and research on the illusive graviton, which is a basic particle of the gravitational force."

Kitchen Chemistry Cupboard

   

Levitation in Color Reference

Prototype of Top Octave Generator

 

 Kitchen Stowaway-Lillyanna Leopard

Ken's Wall Art and Collage

Art Project Inspired by Ken's Mother

Ken is a great fan of Lady Bird Johnson

Religious Icon 

With of Bottle of Men's Cologne 

Selection from Ken's Library

Ken’s love of books ranges from obscure to popular titles, and is evident the moment you step in his door. Today, the first thing I notice is a fortress of books surrounding his seen-better-days easy chair.  He sits maybe four feet in front of a 27-inch flat-screen TV, a neighbor gave him several months ago.

The TV is off, and Ken is stuffing envelopes with flyers for his business, Jesus Christ World Corporation. He looks up at me with his charming grin, looking serious at the same time.

“Any luck with donations?” I ask.

 “Not yet,” he says,  “But I keep hoping some money will show up soon to finance my projects.”

Ken says one of the benefits 

of his avocation is that 

it provides balance

 in his life.

“It is also a way to 

use my time productively

and keep a mindful focus on reality 

while having fun.”

                                          

                                                           

                                                                                

Greetings

Here's a couple new compositions

in the alley outside my 

office.